Exhibition “City Memory: Forest Dances”

Forest dances are a living senior dance tradition in the Panemunė pinewood, spanning more than six decades and still bringing people together to dance under the pines, enjoy live music, and socialize.

The Panemunė Forest Dances were shaped by the dance culture of the interwar resorts in the town of Aukštoji Panemunė, as well as by the spirit of contemporary urban community life. Although this tradition may not be recorded in history textbooks, it lives on vividly in the stories and personal memories of Kaunas residents.

In Panemunė, waltzes, polkas, foxtrots, and circle dances fill the air. The music is performed by concertinas, accordions, mandolins, clarinets, saxophones, and other instruments. Dancers gather elegantly dressed, and music and rhythm become a way to meet, connect, and keep the tradition alive.

At the heart of the exhibition are two remarkable figures: the poet and songwriter Apolonija (Paulina) Liaudinskienė and the musician Veronika Ziabkinienė. For more than two decades, they shaped the music, repertoire, and customs of the Forest Dances community. Through their stories, creative work, personal belongings, and archival audio and video materials, visitors are invited to explore how this tradition was created, nurtured, and passed down from generation to generation.

The exhibition is complemented by a city discovery route, which can be found in the museum app under the City Guide section. The route invites you to explore places where folk dances were once danced and where the city’s community bonds were formed.

Exhibition Curator: Laura Lukenskienė

Exhibition Curator and Coordinator: Monika Chockevičienė

Audio Recording Editor: Andrius Mackevičius

Editor: Austė Vilimienė